gapes n. See as the gapes, under gape, n..
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Gape, n.
1. The act of gaping; a yawn.
2. Zool. The width of the mouth when opened, as of birds, fishes, etc.
The gapes. (a) A fit of yawning. (b) A disease of young poultry and other birds, attended with much gaping. It is caused by a parasitic nematode worm (Syngamus trachealis), in the windpipe, which obstructs the breathing. See Gapeworm.
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